Nielsen smashes sea-level world's best for one-hour ride

Rio Olympic cyclist Jaime Nielsen has smashed the sea level world record for the one-hour ride at the Avantidrome in Cambridge Friday tonight.

Nielsen, 31, clocked 47.791kms in the hour which was 909m more than the previous world’s best at sea level by Australian Bridie O’Donnell in Adelaide in 2016.

Her time was only 189m less than the current world record set at altitude in Colorado Springs last year by American Evelyn Stevens, a double world team time trial champion.

The Waikato rider set a steady pace throughout, reaching 23.740km at the halfway mark and 35.80kms at 45 minutes. She responded to the 350-strong crowd to push through the pain barrier to go past O’Donnell’s mark and finish with 47.791kms.

“I am so happy it’s over. It was such a challenge. I am stoked and I am satisfied. I know I gave it all I can,” Nielsen said.

“I knew it was realistic to get the sea-level mark. It came down to counting the laps and at one stage I was counting half laps.

“I’d love to give it another shot. At this stage I am glad it’s over. There were feelings that I had to overcome and I think the crowd helped me get through in the end.

“I had little patches when the pain would build up but it was a matter of refreshing and getting back into my rhythm.”

Nielsen will head to Europe in the coming weeks and hopes to gain selection for the UCI road world championships in the time trial, before returning to New Zealand to head back on the track in her attempt to gain selection for next year’s Commonwealth Games.

www.cyclingnewzealand.nz